Members in Motorsport: Racing Together

RACING TOGETHER

Viva Energy (the exclusive licensee of the Shell brand in Australia) is proud to back the Racing Together program as part of its comprehensive motorsport program

Shell lubricants have enjoyed a long and successful association with motorsport. With years of contribution to technical partnerships in motorsport and Shell’s commitment to innovation, Shell has been able to take what is learnt from the track and transfer that knowledge into high quality products for motorists. One of the programs Viva Energy is proud to be a part of is Racing Together. Racing Together aims to address the lack of indigenous representation in the motorsport industry here in Australia from the ground up, by creating STEM opportunities and motorsport career pathways for 12- to 18-year-old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Shell V-Power Racing Team Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Story, also director of the Racing Together board, together with Viva Energy, recently announced a new three-year partnership with the programme. The partnership between Racing Together and Viva Energy ties in closely with the energy company’s vision for reconciliation as a nation where Indigenous people have equal and equitable opportunities to reach their destination. Viva Energy aspires to contribute to a society that is enriched by cultural diversity. As part of its role with the program, the Shell V-Power Racing Team ran a special indigenous livery at the Darwin Triple Crown, with the livery designed by Racing Together team member, Braedyn Cidoni. “The opportunity to highlight Racing Together and its objectives at the Darwin Triple Crown by way of an Indigenous livery supported by all of our partners and put together by Braedyn, who is the Racing Together race driver, is something of a remarkable story,” Ryan said. “I am very proud to be associated with the Racing Together organisation as a director, and what ties everything together for me is that Viva Energy, our major sponsor, is also a significant supporter of the project. “We’re partners in racing, and we’re partners in business. The opportunity to raise awareness and to increase involvement in both STEM and motorsport for young Indigenous Australians is something that we should all aspire to.” Seventeen-year-old Braedyn was thrilled to not only be the driver for Racing Together but also to have designed the Supercar livery. His work was inspired by artist Allison Millcock’s “Turtles Crossing Cultures”. “While Allison’s art represents her longing to connect with her ancestors, I used the turtle to highlight the environment and the wildlife that we need to protect and added the snake to represent the fierceness and power behind the Racing Together team,” Braedyn said. “I have always wanted to be a race car driver, and the Racing Together programme has given me the opportunity to do that. I couldn’t believe I was selected out of everyone to be the driver. “Our team has many different roles like engineer, mechanic and social media, and everyone is so happy to be part of the team – we’ve bonded and all become really good friends.” Racing Together also fields a small race team, manned by 10 indigenous teenagers, in the Hyundai Excel championship rounds and they competed at the Darwin Triple Crown.

The Shell V-Power Racing Team livery designed by Racing Together’s Braedyn Cidoni.

An unrivalled test bed

Shell has long used the motorsport arena as a test bed to unlock performance and efficiency gains that can be transferred to its road products, and Shell Helix Ultra is no exception. The company’s rich history in motor racing started with Ferrari in 1929 and has since spanned a wide variety of global competitions; from Formula 1 to MotoGP, the World Rally Championship, Australian Supercars and Formula E. Shell says it is proud to partner some of the top motorsport teams in the world’s most competitive championship series. From Innovation Partner to Scuderia Ferrari, Technical Partner to Ducati Corse in MotoGP and BMW in Motorsport, Shell V-Power Race Team in Australian Supercars to Co-Title Sponsor to the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, the racing Shell has access to is second to none. This portfolio was further enhanced in 2019, with Shell partnering with Nissan in the world’s fastest developing motorsport, Formula E. “In the fast-paced, high-pressure world of motorsport, demands on the engine are vastly different from your everyday road drive,” Shell AP MD Technical Director, Serena Lim, said. “Across all motorsport series, engineers are being challenged to make sure that race engines can deliver maximum performance over longer distances and with greater efficiency. “In these circumstances, engine oil plays a crucial role in ensuring that race engines provide sustained performance by reducing friction, protecting engine parts from wear and displacing the large amounts of heat generated within the power unit. “With years of contribution to technical partnerships in motorsport and Shell’s commitment to innovation, we are able to take what is learnt from the track and transfer that knowledge into high quality products. “For example, inside a Formula One engine, race lubricants are under huge pressure and must withstand peak temperatures in excess of 1,000°C, at 15,000RPM. Shell, in partnership with Scuderia Ferrari, has designed Shell Helix Ultra 0W low viscosity oil to withstand the toughest environments, whilst delivering maximum performance and efficiency. “Our partnerships are the ultimate test bed for our products, challenging them to perform in some of the most extreme conditions and ensuring our customers are getting the very best.” To learn more, visit www.shell.com.au